Table 1

Summary of specific hazards encountered when processing toxic cyanobacteria to produce cyanotoxins, and recommended control measures

Procedure

Hazard

Control measure

Bulk harvesting - wet biomass

Oral exposure

Avoid accidental immersion

Cutaneous and mucous membrane exposure

PPE: waterproof boots, gloves, waders; avoid splash generation

Inhalation exposure

Work in calm water condition

Bulk harvesting - dry biomass

Cutaneous and mucous membrane exposure

PPE: gloves, overalls

Inhalation exposure

Consider wetting prior to harvest, otherwise protective respirator mask

Laboratory culture of toxic cyanobacteria

Cutaneous and mucous membrane exposure

PPE: gloves, lab coat, eye splash protection for specific procedures. Contingency procedures to manage accidental spillage

Inhalation exposure

Discontinue aeration for 5 minutes before opening culture vessels

Concentration, lyophilisation, powdering

Cutaneous and mucous membrane exposure

PPE: gloves, lab coat, eye splash protection

Inhalational exposure

Low-flow fume cupboard

PPE: face mask

Solvent extraction, sonication, filtration, chromatography,

Cutaneous and mucous membrane exposure

PPE: gloves, lab coat, eye splash protection for specific procedures

Inhalational exposure

PPE: face mask for procedures affording risk of spray generation

Lyophilisation of pure product

Cutaneous exposure

PPE: gloves, lab coat

Inhalational exposure

Care to avoid vessel breakage

PPE: face mask

Toxicity studies using in vivo models

Parenteral exposure

Care when handling hypodermic needles, restraint of animals for dosing

Cutaneous exposure

PPE: gloves, lab coat

Inhalational exposure

Procedures to minimise or eliminate aerosol formation when disposing of urine. Experimental design features to avoid dry dust dispersal in feeding studies

PPE: face mask if aerosols likely

Stewart et al. Environmental Health 2009 8:52   doi:10.1186/1476-069X-8-52